With the deadline for primary school applications fast approaching, we have complied a list of the best primary schools in the county for 2019.

The Real Schools Guide for primary schools ranks every school in the county from best to worst based on a variety of factors, including the latest Key Stage 2 results, attainment rates, pupils' progress and attendance figures.

The Guide, now in its sixth year, has been praised by education experts.

Dr Elaine McCreery, Head of Primary Initial Teacher Education at Manchester Metropolitan University, said the guide could help parents make decisions about where to apply for or be useful for those with children already at schools to get involved and support the school.

Three schools that were ranked in the top ten last year have kept hold of their spot for 2019, with Quarry Hill Academy in Thurrock, Lyons Hall School in Braintree and Hare Street Community Primary School and Nursery in Harlow still flying high.

According to the Real Schools Guide 2019, these are the top ten primary schools in Essex.

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Real Schools Guide 2019 - Top 10 primary schools in Essex

10: Hereward Primary School, Loughton

Address: Colebrook Lane, Loughton, IG10 2HR

Ofsted rating: Outstanding

National ranking: 375th

Matt Woolard, head teacher at the school, said: "We are thrilled to have been ranked in the Top 10 primary schools in Essex in the Real Schools Guide in 2019.

"This is testament to the wonderful pupils and staff we have at Hereward who are deeply committed to working hard, continually striving to improve and enjoying the full range of curriculum opportunities we provide."

9: Heybridge Primary School, Heybridge

Address: Rowan Drive, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4TU

Ofsted rating: Good

National ranking: 354th

Simon Waltham, head teacher at the school, said: "We are both delighted and proud of the recognition our ranking provides.

"At Heybridge Primary School we constantly strive for excellence for all of our children and this is a recognition of just how far we have travelled in our journey to being Outstanding."

8: The Phoenix Primary School, Basildon

Address: Leinster Road, Laindon, Basildon, SS15 5NQ

Ofsted rating: No report (opened September 2016)

National ranking: 246th

Kerry Geary, head teacher at the school, said: "Following our outstanding results this year, I am delighted with the hard work and dedication of both pupils and staff here at The Phoenix Primary School & Nursery, along with the support from parents which has resulted in our results being within the top ten in Essex.

"The success of all our pupils and their levels of attainment deserve praise and I am extremely proud to be the head teacher of such an amazing school, working alongside brilliant staff and great pupils who all strive to follow the school motto ‘We enter to learn – we leave to achieve!’"

What are the schools ranked on?

The Real Schools Guide aims to give a far more comprehensive picture than traditional league tables.

The ranking system uses 44 different measures, however these are the four main factors that make up a school's overall rating:

Attainment (30 per cent) - This is based on pupils' Key Stage 2 performance, how many pupils are reaching the expected or even the higher standards in 2018 and how it compares to 2017.

Attainment for All (30 per cent) - This is based on how well different types of pupil at all levels of attainment do, as well as how well the school does at closing the gender gap - measuring how teachers are helping pupils do the best they can. It also looks at how big the pupil/teacher ratio is in comparison to the national average as well as teachers' average salaries.

Progress (30 per cent) - This is based on whether all pupils, including those at different levels of attainment and from disadvantaged backgrounds are making progress between the end of infants and the end of juniors across all subjects.

Attendance (10 per cent) - This looks at levels of absence, unauthorised absence and persistent absence at the school.